izgleda

Izgleda is a common verb form in Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, and Montenegrin. It is the third-person singular present tense of the verb izgledati, meaning to appear or to seem, and translates as "it looks" or "it seems" in English. The word can refer to physical appearance as well as to an impression or assumption about a situation.

In everyday speech, izgleda is used to describe how something appears or to introduce a supposition. Examples include "Izgleda dobro" (It looks good) and "Izgleda da će kiša" (It seems that it will rain). It can also precede a clause introduced by da to express a perceived reality, as in "Izgleda da je kasno" (It seems that it is late).

Grammatically, izgleda functions as an impersonal construction in many contexts. The form changes with the subject in other tenses and with different persons, but izgleda remains the standard third-person singular present form. It can be paired with adjectives directly or followed by a da-clause to convey tentative conclusions.

Etymology and related forms: izgleda derives from the Slavic root gled- meaning to look, with the prefix iz- indicating outward appearance. Related words include izgled (appearance) and the verb gledati (to look). The word is closely connected to how speakers describe perceptions and inferences about people, objects, and events.

Cross-linguistic notes: South Slavic languages share similar constructions. For example, Croatian “izgleda,” Serbian “izgleda,” Bosnian “izgleda,” and Montenegrin “izgleda” are cognate with Polish wyglada and Russian vygljaet, all conveying the sense of appearance or seeming.